Safety automatic lock slider



July 28, 1953 H. MORIN SAFETY AUTOMATIC LOCK SLIDER Filed Sept. 21. 1948 INVENTOR LOU/6 H. mom/v ATTOR Y Patented July 28, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT' OFFICE Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y. Application September 21, 1948, Serial No. 50,359

This invention relates to what is generally known as automatic lock sliders, employed in conjunction with separable fastener stringers to automatically retain the slider in different positions on the stringers. More particularly, the invention deals with what I term a safety-type of automatic lock slider, wherein yieldable means is employed to facilitate movement of a slider along the stringers, as and when the stringers are subjected to an excessive strain, thereby relievingundue-stresses or strains on the fastener, as might otherwise prevail, and atthe same time, retaining the fundamental, and basic principles or functions of the automatic lock slider.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying dr'awing'in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through one form of automatic lock slider, showing my improved construction.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing only a part of the construction and showing a modification.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the invention applied'to another type of automatic lock slider; and

Fig. 4 is a view similarto Figs. 1 and 3, 'showing my invention applied to another form of au- Claims. (Cl. 24205.14)

vention applied to an automatic lock slider in which the lock element In of the slider is in the form of a yoke-shaped arm pivoted to a raised hook-shaped lug H on the frog end l2 of a slider 13, by engagement of a pin M on' the lug. The pin 14 passes through and operates in elongated apertures 15 in the side plates of the element 19, in the manner clearly seen in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The element 58, or the side plates thereof have downwardly directed V-shaped parts, as at 16, for engagement with the scoops ll of stringers operating in the slider 13.

' As the structure of stringers and sliders are generally known in the art, the showing in the drawing is diagrammatic for sake of clarity. The

1 channel of the lock element i0, as indicated at instances, this position of the lock element 'resulted in a more or lesspermanent locking of the slider on the stringers, so that when the stringers weresubjected to excessive stresses or strains, the slider retained its locked position and some part of the slider would have to yield, thus injuring or destroying the fastener. In other words, the fastener would be rendered inoperative to perform its normal useful function,

It:is the purpose of my invention to-so-modify the structure of automatic lock sliders, as to produce what I term, a safety automatic lock slider,

whereby when the fastener is subjected to excessive pull apartstrain, the slider will yield to these strains and move along the stringers. In other words, the normal spring actuated lock element of the slider will performits function to retain the slider against movement on the stringers 2|. The spring 2%! normally urges the lock element liiin the direction of the arrow 22, to maintain the ends It in locked engagement with thescoops ll. 24.

At 23 is shown the pivot end of a pull This pivot end is adapted toengage rounded lower surfaces 25 of the element In in moving the element 10 into raised inoperative position as the pull is engaged to move the slider 13 along the stringers in both directions. n

j Secured to the end of the frog IQ, of the slider 13 by a rivet or otherwise, as seen at 26, is a fiat illustratedat 29 in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing,,canbe employed. This element differs from the elementlt in comprising a solid bar rather than the channel structure shown in Fig. 1, and being arranged between a pair of lugs 38 having a pivot pin 3!, similar to the pin it. The lock element 29 has an elongated aperture 32, similar to the aperture [5. V

In Fig. 2, a spring 27' is employed, which is of sufficient length to engage an ofiset nose or finger portion 33 on the element 29. With this construction, the onespring 21' may be employed to perform the two functions, namely to urge the element 29 in a direction similar to the arrow 22, Fig. 1, and at the same time, yield to the strained movement of the slider, in which movement, the

scoops as at H, Fig. 1 of therdrawing, are moving in a direction of the arrow 34, with respect to the slider body. In this strained movement, the scoops will force the element ill outwardly against the action of the spring 2? or the spring 2?, as well as against the action of the spring 2% in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

In this strained movement, however, the lock element It is free to move longitudinally of the slider, the pivot pin as at i4%l, operating in the elongated aperture i5-32. In the strained movement of the slider on the stringers, it will be understood that the lock element it will ratchet over the scoops. In other words, each scoop will perform its function of moving the element into inoperative position against the ac tion of the spring or springs employed.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I have shown my invention applied to another type of slider of the kind shown more in detail in my prior application Serial Number 767,315, filed August 9, 1947,

now Patent No. 2,535,506, issued December 26, 1950. In Fig. 3, 35 represents the slider body, 36 the transversely arranged lock element having a suitable pivot, as at 3?, to swing into and out of the channel 38 of the slider body, through an aperture 39, so as to operatively engage the scoops 40. At fill is shown a sliding member for actuating the element 36, the member 4! being recessed, as seen at 42, to receive the pivot end Q3 of a pull M, employed to move the member ii in both directions on the slider body in operating the slider along the stringers.

Arranged within a recessed portion of the slider body is a spring l5 having seats, as at 45 and ll, the spring also seating on downwardly extending lugs 48 and 49 on the member ll. The spring it serves to normally retain the member ll in a position where the downwardly projecting nose 58 of said member engages the element 36 to retain the same in locked position. However, when the member G1 is moved in either direction by the pull, the projection 59 is moved out of engagement with the lock element 36 to facilitate free movement of the slider along the stringers. In the application heretofore referred to, and in which this particular slider is more specifically disclosed, the member ll is retained in a definite path of movement longitudinally with respect to the slider. Whereas, in the present construction, a flat leaf-spring 5! is secured to the frog end 52 of the slider, as by a riveted pin 53, so that the member 41 can swing upward- 1y against the action of the spring 5i, when the slider is subjected to the excessive strains. In this operation, the element 35 will ratchet over the scoops 45, as with the construction shown in Fig. l of the drawing.

It will be apparent that normally, the spring 5| maintains the member M in its depressed position, in which position, the member 5! will be free to perform its automatic locking function with respect to action upon the element 36. It is only when the excessive strain prevails, that the member 4| is raised against the action of the spring 5!. This raised position of the member 4| is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, where the element 35 is passing over the upper or highpoint of one of the scoops.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown my safety lock principle as applied to the pin lock type of slider. In other words, the pull of the slider includes at its pivoted end portion a lock element. By way of illustration, a slider of the type and kind shown in my prior Patent 2,228,146 granted J anuary 7, 1941, can be referred to.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown at 54,

' the pivot end of the pull as seen at 56 instead of being directly pivoted to the slider body, is p voted to a supplemental yoke '57, the latter being pivoted to a raised lug 58, on the slider body, as seen at 59. Within the yoke 5'!" is a ledge or shoulder portion 6i? engaged by one end 6! of a coil spring arranged around the pivot 59 within said yoke, the other end 62 of the spring engaging the slider body. This sprin will serve to normally support the yoke 57 in the depressed position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 of the drawing. Another coil spring 63 is arranged around the pivot 58 of the pull within the yoke 51, one end 64 of the spring engaging the yoke and the other end 65 being fixedly secured to the pull, the spring being tensioned to normally support the pull in thedepressed or full line position shown in Fig. 4. Integral with the pivot end of the pull is a wedge-type lock pin or element 66, which operates in an aperture 6'! in one Wall 68 of the slider body, so as to operatively engage the scoops 68.

With the full line position of the parts as shown in Fig. 4, the element 65 is in its normal locking position, in which the slider Ed is retained against movement along the stringers, or in other words, relatively to the scoops E9. However, if the pull is subjected to excessive strain, the scoops moving in the direction of the arrow if of Fig. 4, with respect to the slider body, will engage the element BS, and force it into raised position, as indicated in dot and dash lines, which movement is performed directly against the action of the spring arranged upon the pivot 59. As with the other structures, the lock element 66 will ratchet over the scoop 69 in this operation. However, in normal operation of the slider through the medium of the pull 55, the lock element will be moved out of engagement with the scoops 59 in the normal swinging of the pull on the pivot 56.

r In some instances, this operation of the pull may also'swing the yoke 53 on its pivot to some extent. This swinging movement, however, is checked by the pivoted surface ll, at the pivot end of the yoke, strikingthe upper surface 72 of the slider.

With all forms of construction shown, the automatic lock principle of the slider is not-interfered with or disturbed in any way. However, means is provided in each instance, to facilitate ratchetin movement of the slider along the stringers, in the event that the stringers are subjected to an excessive pull apart stress or strain. These stresses or strains are often experienced in connection with uses of the fastener on garments, and particularly the application of fasteners to trousers. In all instances, the spring tension of the strain-relief safety factor of the device, will be controlled and regulated to suit installations or uses ofthe fastener. In this connection it will be understood that in some instances, the stresses or strains are materially greater than in others. It will also be apparent that in the several uses of the invention, as herein disclosed, the normal functioning and operation of the pull is not interfered with or modified, except to the extent where operation of the pull can r act upon the additional tensional means employed. This is particularly true in the construction shown in Figs.

1, 2 and 4 of the drawing.

It will appear from a consideration of the several devices, that the lock element or the member controlling the lock element, in all instances, is capable of two distinct movements.

In Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, there is present the combination slide and swinging movement, whereas in Fig. 4, two distinct swinging move- 'two movements which produces the conventional automatic lock slider, plus the safety-lock factor, which allows the lock element to yield when subjected to excessive strains.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. An automatic lock slider for separable fastener stringers comprising a channeled slider body, a lock element on said body movable into the channel thereof to engage scoops of a separable fastener stringer to normally retain the slider against movement onthe stringers, yieldable means for retaining the lock element in scoop-engaging position, a member movably supported on said body and supporting said lock element for enabling the lock element to be displaced from scoop-engaging position when the stringers are subjected to excessive pull-apart strains said lock element being pivotally connected to said member, and tensional means independent of said yieldable means for restraining said member against movement on the slider body when the slider is in a normal locked position on the stringers.

2. In a lock slider for separable fastener stringers comprising a channeled body' movable along said stringers to couple and uncouple the same, a lock element movably'supported on said slider and including a lock pin movable into and out of the slider channel for engaging scoops of said stringers, a member yieldably supported on said slider and biased so as to act against said lock element, said member being yieldable to enable the lock pin to ratchet over the scoops when the stringers are subjected to excessive supporting member pivoted to the slider and movable longitudinally thereof, a lock pin at o e end of said member, said member serving tomove said pin into and out of the channel of said body 'to engage the scoops of the stringers, a spring for urging the lock pin into engagement with the 6 said pull-supporting member, said tension member being sufliciently yieldable to enable the pull-supporting member to I be moved thereagainst and the lock pin moved out of said channel by the action of said scoops when the stringers are subjected to excessive pull-apart strains.

5. In a lock slider for separable fastener stringers comprising a channeled body movable along the scoops of a pair of stringers, a pullsupporting member pivoted to the slider and movable relatively thereto, a lock pin adjacent one end of said member movable into and out of the channel of said body to engage the scoops of said stringers, a spring for urging the lock pin into engagementwith the scoops, and yieldable means on said slider acting on said pullsupporting member, said means being sufiiciently yieldable to enable the pull-supporting member to be moved thereagainst and thelock pin moved out of said channel by the action of said scoops when the stringers are subjected to excessive pull-apart strains.

6. In a lock slider for separable fastener stringers comprising a channeled body movable along the scoops of a pair of stringers, a pullsupporting member on the slider and movable relatively thereto, a lock pin adjacent one end of said member movable into and out of the channel of said body to engage the scoops of said stringers, a spring for urging the lock pin into engagement with the scoops, and yieldable means on said slider acting on said pull-supporting member, said means being sufi'iciently yieldable to enable the pull-supporting member to be moved thereagainst and the lock pin moved out of said channel by the action of said scoops strains, and spring means for retaining the lock element and lock pin in scoop-engaging position scoops, and a tension member on said slider acting on said pull-supporting member and servin normally to maintain the lock pin in engagement with said scoops, said tension member being sufficiently yieldable to enable the pull-supporting member to be moved thereagainst and the lock pin moved out of said channel by the action of said scoops when the stringers are subjected to excessive pull-apart strains.

4. In a lock slider for separable fastener stringers comprising a channeled body movable along the scoops of a pair of stringers, a pullsupporting member on the slider and movable longitudinally thereof, a lock pin at one end of said member and movable into and out of the channel of said body by the action of said member, a spring acting on said member for urging the lock pin into engagement with the scoops, and a tension member on said slider acting on adjacent the other end thereof, a portion of the along said stringers to couple and uncouple the same, a lock element movably supported on said slider for locking the same to said stringers} spring means for retaining the lock element in looking position under normal strains; a pullhandle for moving said lock element to unlocking position against the action of said spring means, and a member yieldably supported on said slider and biassed against said lock-element, said member being yieldable to enable the lock element to ratchet over said stringers when the" stringers are subjected to abnormal strains.

8. In a slider for separable fastener stringers having upper and lower plates connected by a web, a lug projecting from the upper plate adjacent the web end'of the slider, an opening in said plate opening on the sideneare'r to said lug'being defined by an inclined wall, a locking arm pivotally mounted on the lug'and partially enclosing the same, a locking projection on said arm spaced from the lug and movable through said opening to engage said stringers, said locking projection having an inclined surface engag'eabl with and slidabl over said inclined wall of said opening, a

slot in that portion of the locking arm enclosing said lug, a pin in the lug extending'into and we gageable by said slot, whereby the locking arm is adapted to be moved pivotally and longitudinally with respect to said slider, a spring on said slider for normally urging said locking projection yieldable .means on the slider for yieldably supporting the locking arm and for enabling said arm to be moved out of locking position by the stringers when the fastener is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

9. In a slider for separable fastener stringers having upper and lower plates connected by a web, a lug projecting from the upper plate adjacent one end of the slider, an opening in said plate adjacent the other end thereof, an inclined wall defining said opening, a locking arm pivotally mounted on the lug, a locking projection on said arm movabl through said opening to engage said stringers, said locking projection having an inclined surface engageable with and slida'ble over said inclined Wall of said opening, interengaging means on said locking arm and lug comprising a pin and slot for enabling the locking arm to be moved longitudinally of said slider, a spring on said slider for normally urging said locking projection into locking engagement with the stringers, a pull for engaging the locking arm and adapted to move the locking projection out of locking position, and yieldable means on the slider for yieldably supporting the locking arm and for enabling said arm to be moved out of locking position by the stringers when the fastener is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

' 10. In a slider for separable fastener stringers having upper and lower plates connected b a web, av lug projecting from the upper plate, an opening in said plate spaced from said lug, an inclined wall defining said opening, a locking arm mounted on the lug for pivotal and longitudinal movement relatively to the slider, one end of said arm being movable through said opening to engage said stringers and having an inclined surface engageable with and slidable over said inclined Wall of said opening, a spring on said slider for normally urging said locking arm into locking engagement with the stringers, a pull for engaging the locking arm and adapted to move the same out of locking position, and yieldable means on the slider for yieldably supporting the locking arm and for enabling said arm to be moved out of locking position by the stringers when the fast ner is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

11. In a lock slider for separable fastener stringers, a lock element pivotally mounted at one end portion of the slider to swing vertically in a transverse plane With respect to th slider, a movable member mountedto move longitudinally of the slider body and at right angles to the swinging movement of said lock element, said member having parts for engaging the lock element to move the latter into'and out of locking position,

, spring means normally supporting said member including a lock piece movable relatively to the relatively thereto, stop means for limiting the lengthwis travel of the actuator, spring means engaged with the slider and engaging the actuator and biassing the latter to a mid-position with respect to its travel limits, the actuator having a portion engageable with the lock piece to move the latter into channel-blocking position to lock the slider against normal strains, a pull for moving the actuator, and yieldable means on the slider for yieldably supporting the actuator and for enabling the lock piece and the actuator to be moved out of channel-blocking position by the stringers When the slider is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

13. In a slider for separable fastener stringers comprising a double-walled web-connected body, a lug on the upper wall and an opening in said wall spaced from the lug, a yoke member pivoted to thelug, a pull on said slider having a locking pin, said pull being operatively positioned to move the locking pin through said opening to lock and unlock the slider to said stringers, said pull being pivotally supported by the yoke member in said operative position, spring means for urging the pull and pin into slider locking position to lock the slider against normal strains, tension means on the slider for holding the yoke member in said pull-supporting position and for enabling the yoke member to be moved out of said position and the pull and pin to be moved out of locking position when the slider is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

14. In a slider for separable fastener stringers, a yoke member pivoted to one wall thereof, a pull on the slider having a locking pin, said pull being operatively positioned to move the locking pin into and out of locking position, said pull being supported by the yoke member in said operative position, spring means for urging the pull and pin into slider locking position to lock the slider against normal strains, yieldable means on the slider-for yieldably holding the yoke member in said pull-supporting position and for enabling the yoke member to be moved out of said position and the pull andpin to be moved out of locking position when the slider is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

15. In a slider for separable fastener stringers,

a lug on one wall of the same and an opening in said wall spaced from the lug, a member pivoted to the lug, a pull pivoted to the member, a looking pin on the pull, said pull being operatively positioned with respect to said meinber so. as to move the locking pin through said opening to lock and unlock the slider to said stringers, spring means for urging the pull and pin into slider locking position to lock the slider against normal strains, yieldable means on the slider acting on said member for yieldably holding the member and thus the pull in said operative position and for enabling the member and pull to be moved out of said position and the pin to be moved out of locking position when the slider is subjected to abnormal strains tending to open the fastener.

LoUIs H. MORIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date 1,967,137 Sundback July 17, 1934 2,077,360 Gilmore Apr; 13, 1937 2,214,704 Bailey Sept. 10,1940 2,222,988 Poux Nov. 26, 1940 

